The event was opened by Prof. Dr Jens Rieger from IU. He addressed the question of how narratives that question societal diversity can weaken the promises of equality and participation upon which democratic societies are founded. These developments are particularly evident in groups already threatened by marginalisation. His conclusion was directed specifically at the professionals present: Social work must explicitly orient itself towards human rights, social justice, diversity, and participation, and confront exclusionary tendencies with professional clarity.

Following this, Prof. Dr Marit Cremer addressed the topic of "Human Rights and Diversity," explaining the significance of human rights for the everyday practice of social work. Using examples from international social work, she demonstrated how lived diversity can come under pressure in different national and institutional contexts. At the same time, she raised the question of what professional and ethical stance social work should adopt when societal conditions change.

Afterwards, the students took the floor. Lara Katine and Lennert Müller presented their paper "Social Inequality – Social Work – A Theory." They began by introducing the fundamentals of social inequality and then elaborated on these using Pierre Bourdieu's sociocultural theory of habitus, capital, and the social field. They demonstrated how societal structures influence access to education and social participation. The presentation was accompanied by a poster they had designed themselves.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion featuring Josef Held, musician and special education teacher. He has witnessed and significantly influenced the development of special education in Germany and Europe since the late 1970s, making him the most experienced voice in the discussion. Further posters from the students were presented and supplemented by an information table. Even after the official end of the programme, lively discussions continued at a reception organised by the IU Campus Karlsruhe team.

The event format also reflects how the topic is taught at IU: Students in the dual-study programme in Social Work spend an entire semester exploring diversity and social inequality. Diversity Day provides a public platform for this course content – and simultaneously brings the students together with the practitioners who will later mentor and guide them in their professional lives.

In her thesis, titled "LGBTQIA+ in the Context of Refuge," Alina Klein explores the intersectional challenges and needs of queer people with refugee experience. The goal of her work is to create visibility, promote understanding, and provide professionals with concrete practical options.

"Many queer refugees experience double marginalisation - because of their origins as well as their sexual orientation or gender identity," explains the 28-year-old graduate. "My work aims to demonstrate that more is needed than symbolism - namely, real spaces, protection concepts, and awareness-raising in everyday working life."

Theory and practice closely interlinked

Her thesis was closely linked to her practical work at the Protestant Youth Welfare Service in Bochum. There, she works in a self-sufficiency project for unaccompanied minor refugees. She also conducted interviews with professionals from a network partner in Bochum that provides educational work on sexual and gender diversity and targeted services for queer refugees.

IU's dual study model offered her the ideal foundation for combining theory and practice: "I was able to directly apply my knowledge to my everyday professional life – and, conversely, to work on the topics that concern me in practice in a scientifically sound manner. The high degree of flexibility in the design of the examinations allowed me to translate my passion into an academic work."

Even during her studies, Alina Klein was already involved beyond the curriculum. She organised training courses on discrimination protection and implemented awareness-raising campaigns in her own work environment, such as workshops for young refugees, flyers, stickers, and rainbow pins. "It's often the little things that have a big impact. One client told me that our campaign made her feel truly seen. That was very touching," she recalls.

Awarded the IU Diversity Award

Alina Klein’s work was honoured with the IU Diversity Award 2025 for its particular social relevance and practice-oriented depth.

"Alina impressively succeeds in illuminating a highly sensitive topic not only with a scientifically sound approach, but also with tangible empathy and practical relevance. Her work highlights what is often overlooked in everyday life – and provides concrete ideas on how professionals can better support queer refugees. An outstanding example of how science can help shape social change," says Ariane Weber, employee in the Equal Opportunities Office and project manager of the Diversity Award at IU International University of Applied Sciences.

Even beyond her graduation, Alina Klein continues to pursue her vision. She recently began a master's degree in social work with a focus on trauma education, refugee issues, and migration, and she also envisions pursuing a doctorate in the long term. Her goal: to share her own experiences with students and encourage them in their future roles as social workers.

IU as the largest academic trainer for social work

IU currently trains around 30,000 people in the health and social care sector, making it the largest academic provider in this field. Through distance learning programmes (Bachelor's , Master's , MBA), dual study programmes, and continuing education courses at the IU Academy, interested students can acquire in-depth knowledge and qualify for a variety of careers in the social sector.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Science has been presenting the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The IU Diversity Award jury consists of a ten-person team of employees from various departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's theses. In 2024, Felix Würkner from Berlin and Melissa Ockelmann from Hamburg received this prestigious award. While Felix Würkner impressed with a cross-media campaign for gender and sexual diversity to prevent homophobia and transphobia, Ockelmann addressed the topic of inclusion in old age and presented a queer-sensitive mission statement for open senior citizen work. The IU Diversity Award aims to contribute to raising public awareness of the research field of diversity and carries a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at IU can be found at: https://www.iu.de/en/university/diversity
 

"We chose Melissa Ockelmann's work because it shows how important it is to consider the needs of queer* seniors in social work. By creating queer*-sensitive guiding principles, she is setting new standards and making a significant contribution to raising awareness of queer* seniors as part of our society. Her work is an important step towards greater inclusion and respect for queer people," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equal Opportunities Officer at IU.

With her guiding principles, Ockelmann wants to provide professionals and managers for work in senior care with a fixed orientation framework and encourage them to open services and spaces for queer* senior citizens and anchor them institutionally. The guiding principles were developed on the basis of literature on queer theory, historical background and generational and age-related needs. " The guiding principles are intended to emphasise the importance of a queer* perspective in working with older people. It should specifically include the needs and lifestyles of queer* seniors and be geared towards them. The guiding principles form the basis for all further programmes and measures in senior work with queer* people," says Melissa Ockelmann.

Inspired by film festival about lesbian literature in Hamburg

The graduate was inspired by her participation in a queer* film festival in Hamburg that focussed on lesbian literature. The projects presented there, including "Älter werden unterm Regenbogen", sparked her interest in the needs of older queer* people. "I want to draw attention to the fact that there is hardly any space for queer* seniors and that institutions should deal with their history in order to create acceptance and safety," says Ockelmann, and continues: "My work aims to create institutional structures that support this. I want open institutions to address this issue and treat queer* people with openness and respect. Older generations should no longer have to hide. It should become a matter of course to support and value all people for who they are."

After dropping out of her first degree at a state university, Melissa Ockelmann decided to do a federal voluntary service at a children's and youth organisation. The practical work there inspired her so much that she then decided to do a dual study programme in social work at IU International University of Applied Sciences. She explains: "The dual study programme at IU was the perfect way to build on my federal voluntary service and gain further practical experience. My experience at a state university showed me that it wasn't as varied there. The concept of IU, two days of study and three days of practical work, convinced me. Especially in social work, it is important to gain practical experience right from the start. You can put what you've learnt directly into practice, which is worth so much."

In the dual study programme at IU, students gain practical experience in a company in the region alongside theory in lectures and seminars. The split-week time model allows students to directly apply and test the knowledge they have learnt. Students complete the theoretical part of the programme either in the traditional way on campus, via online teaching or from any location on the Virtual Campus.

IU as the largest academic training institution for social work

IU currently trains around 30,000 people in the field of health and social work and is the largest academic training centre for social work. Students can acquire in-depth knowledge and qualify for a variety of professions in the social sector through distance learning programmes (bachelor's, master's, MBA), dual study programmes and continuing education courses at the IU Academy.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences has presented the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The jury consists of a ten-member team of employees from various departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's thesis. The IU Diversity Award is intended to help raise public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at IU can be found at: iu.de/hochschule/diversity-und-gleichstellung/

*The spelling "queer* people" is used to explicitly emphasise the diversity within the queer community. The asterisk (*) stands for a conscious openness and inclusion of different identities and orientations that fall under the term "queer".

Flexible adaptation to the needs, life stories and mental states of dementia patients

Specifically, the prototype developed plays audio, video and photo formats. For example, those affected can call up personal pictures from their early youth or from their current family circle, listen to audio formats such as pieces of music or voice messages from grandchildren and watch documentary films about their own homeland or videos from the last summer party at the nursing home. The variety of available media is very flexible and can be customised to the needs, life stories and mental states of dementia sufferers. Those affected are playfully empowered to select and play media themselves. The aim is to arouse positive emotions and strengthen the memory and identity of those affected. Self-determined exploration can also promote dialogue processes and facilitate exchanges with caretakers and relatives. The prototype developed is to be used in nursing homes – in particular to improve psychological and social support services and strengthen active participation in the lives of dementia sufferers.

"This outstanding bachelor's thesis combines UX design with the diversity dimensions of "age" and "impairment" in a unique way. The thesis shows how versatile and relevant the UX Design degree programme is and how it can contribute to improving the lives of people in a wide variety of life situations. We were deeply impressed by Matthias' close connection to the field and her innovative spirit," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equality and Diversity Officer at IU. 

Her grandpa with dementia was her greatest inspiration

Matthia Leyendecker's motivation was a very personal one, as she herself reveals: "It took several weeks to find a topic for my bachelor's thesis. I wanted to do something meaningful, a tangible result was important to me. My grandad gave me the inspiration for it. We bought him a tablet and a senior mobile phone so that he could participate even more in family life. I was responsible for setting up the messaging services and the technical issues. I wrote operating instructions for him and realised how inaccessible mobile phones and tablets are for senior citizens. This gave rise to the idea of simplifying the whole thing technologically for the first time. When my grandad eventually developed dementia, it became increasingly difficult for him to use the technical devices. I then went in search of alternatives, but was unsuccessful. So, I came up with the idea of developing something for dementia sufferers myself, to give them something they could play with to activate their memory. It was also important to me to create something that people could use independently, i.e. without someone sitting next to them and having to guide them."

From carpentry intern to UX designer

Matthia Leyendecker's extraordinary educational path took her from a carpentry internship to a bachelor's degree in wood engineering to a master's degree in future design. At the same time, she began her distance learning programme in UX Design at IU, demonstrating her enormous versatility and commitment to innovative solutions. 

The award winner does not rule out the possibility of further developing her prototype and has already submitted several scientific papers to various conferences. In the meantime, she has accepted a job offer as a user researcher. "For now, I've studied enough, although I've always enjoyed studying. The IU degree programme particularly inspired me because of the practical work in the Creative Labs. There we had the opportunity to apply design techniques and theoretical knowledge in a three-month project and, for example, to carry out usability tests with real users. This phase was incredibly valuable for me, as it allows you to build up your own personal portfolio. Now I'm looking forward to applying the knowledge I've learnt and the skills I've acquired in the UX field in practice," says Matthia.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany’s largest university of applied sciences, has presented the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The jury consists of a ten-member team of employees from teaching, the examination office, equal opportunities office and other departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's thesis. The IU Diversity Award is intended to contribute to raising public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. For more information on diversity and inclusion measures at IU, please visit: iu.de/en/university/diversity/.

"The jury awarded this thesis the prize because it examines a current and very sensitive topic from several diversity perspectives. Katharina convinced us in her thesis with her systematic approach and the derivation of actionable recommendations," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equality and Diversity Officer at IU. 

Babl works as a student trainee at the Bavarian Rotes Kreuz, a public corporation in the Traunstein district association, where she provides support in refugee aid, among other things. 

"Through my work, I became aware of a study that shows that too little is being done for refugees with disabilities. There are laws and regulations on how to deal with these people, but some of the requirements are not even observed. One reason for this, for example, is that so many refugees arrived at once and the authorities are overwhelmed with them. Then I wanted to know more and talked to people from my home country who were affected. And that's how the idea came about to investigate the whole thing scientifically and to write my bachelor's thesis about it," says Katharina Babl. 

After her training, the qualified optician decided to study social work at IU while working and plans to do her master's degree from autumn 2023. "In any case, it will be distance learning again," says Katharina. "In distance learning, I particularly appreciated not having to travel to campus and not having to rely on any appointments. I was able to take all the exams very flexibly with short registration deadlines, so I could do everything at my own pace, when and where I wanted." 

After her official bachelor's degree, Katharina Babl will take over the area of housing counselling and the specialist office for caring relatives at her current employer. In her new position, the IU graduate already has many plans. In her projects, for example, she will primarily work for better structures and a more varied range of services for caring relatives in the district of Traunstein.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences has presented the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The jury consists of a ten-member team of employees from teaching, the examination office, equal opportunities and other departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's thesis. The IU Diversity Award is intended to contribute to raising public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. For more information on diversity and inclusion measures at IU, please visit: iu.de/en/university/diversity/.
 

Erfurt, 2 March 2023. Male pupils in Germany are interested in social and educational topics. This is confirmed by the short study by IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) "Social professions. What young men think about it.". Nevertheless, only 21.8 percent of young men would opt for training or studying in the social sector. For 51.3 percent of those surveyed, this would be rather out of the question or not at all. 

Not surprisingly, more than half of the students surveyed (54.1 percent) could be deterred from training or studying in the social sector by the fact that the earning opportunities are too low, and 45.0 percent do not like the working conditions. 

Nevertheless, for more than half of the respondents (53.0 percent), the challenges in social professions are not a reason against training or studying in the social sector. What others - such as friends or family - think about this career aspiration would not stop more than half of the respondents from starting training or studying in the social sector. 

Prof. Dr. Fabian van Essen, Professor of Special Education and Inclusive Education at IU International University of Applied Sciences is co-initiator of the study. He comments: 

"Although the potential is basically there and, according to the study, neither the opinion of others nor the demanding professional field is an obstacle, a social profession is out of the question for many male students. What could be the reasons? More school subjects on social topics are not needed, but many young men lack practical insights, e.g. through internships or job shadowing. A core problem is the discontinuation of community service, which used to socialise young men for social and educational professions. Nowadays, many men lack this opportunity to get to know this field." 

Hardly any male role models 

According to the study results, there are also hardly any male relatives or acquaintances who work in the social sector and could inspire or socialise young men for social professions: It is true that 64.3 percent of the respondents say they know one or more people who work in the social sector. However, 65.6 percent of these acquaintances or relatives are female. Only 13.1 percent of the young men said that their father or grandfather worked in this field. 

Statistics also confirm the high proportion of women: According to figures from the Federal Employment Agency (*), more than 70 percent of those working in the social sector are women. 

But according to the IU study, this high proportion of women does not have too much of an impact on the image that male students have of social professions: Only 24.4 percent of the students surveyed agreed with the statement that "social professions are more suitable for women than for men". 

"As the study's stereotype check shows, the high quota of female professionals does not seem to necessarily lead to young men thinking that social professions are typically women's professions. And yet children and young people need both male and female role models in education and social work. This concerns gender, but also other dimensions, such as disability, migration background or sexual orientation," says Prof. Dr. Fabian van Essen. 

Educator as a career is a favourite among young men 

There is a shortage of staff in day-care centres throughout Germany and the proportion of men in day-care centres is negligible (**). Yet according to the IU study, it is precisely the profession of educator that is very popular among the students surveyed: among the 21.8 percent of those questioned who would consider training or studying in the social sector, 26.2 percent would be most likely to choose the profession of educator. In second place, with 25.4 percent each, is the profession of educator or social pedagogue. Less interesting are professions such as media educator (14.6 percent) or school support worker (13.1 percent). 
 

About the study 

In the IU short study conducted in October 2022, 620 male pupils were interviewed. Among the respondents were “Hauptschule” students, “Realschule” students, “Fachoberschule” students and “Gymnasium” students. 

The factsheet on the IU short study is available here. 

(*) Statistics of the Federal Employment Agency, Reports: Focus on the Labour Market - The Labour Market Situation of Women and Men, Nuremberg, July 2022, p. 14
(**) Male professionals in childcare in Germany by 2022, Statista 2022